Monday, July 30, 2012

KDF kicks off recruitment

The recruits set for Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) being taken through physical exercises at Jomo Kenyatta primary school in this picture taken on 30 July 2012 in the exercise that starts countrywide on July 31, 2012. Photo/LABAN WALLOGA

Scores of youths in Kwale missed a chance to join the Kenya Defence Forces because of inconsistencies of names in their identity documents.

Lt-Col Paul Njema, who was in charge of the recruitment that started in Msambweni, said the names in the birth certificates did not match those in the ID cards and educational certificates.

Most of the youths had names with different initials in the documents hence contradicting their identities.

“This has forced us to send them back since they do not correspond with our requirements,” he said.

The Kenya Defence Forces is seeking more than 2,000 trainee soldiers, cadets and specialists in the countrywide recruitment that started at the Coast.

The recruitment in Kwale, seen as the stronghold of secessionist Mombasa Republican Council, passed off without any incident.

Armed soldiers stood guard as the potential recruits were taken through physical exercises and other medical checks.

Some 2,200 service men and women, 150 cadets, and 25 specialists will join the KDF by the end of the month-long recruitment across the country.

Lt-Col Njema urged the public to ensure the names appearing in their documents correspond in all of their documents.

“To avoid such misunderstanding in future, I am asking parents and everybody to ensure the initials in their certificates match since some have been disqualified because of difference of names,” said Lt-Col Njema.

At the same time, he warned the public to be wary of fraudsters out to lure them with promises of jobs in exchange for cash.

On Tuesday, the recruitment will be conducted in Kwale, Lamu, Wundanyi and Mwatate.